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In this Update:
Langerholc Speaks at Rally Opposing Closures of Correctional Facilities
I stood proudly alongside the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association and a bipartisan group of my legislative colleagues to oppose the proposed closures of certain correctional facilities in the commonwealth, including the Quehanna Boot Camp in Clearfield County and SCI Rockview in Centre County. Despite strong opposition, the Shapiro Administration has announced its intent to proceed with the proposed closure of both of these institutions. Quehanna Boot Camp and SCI Rockview are well established, well-functioning efficient facilities that need to stay in operation. I stand with all the men and women who put on the uniform daily and will work to put an end to this ill-conceived notion. The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections will hold a listening session on the governor’s proposed closure of Quehanna Boot Camp on Thursday, April 10, at 5 p.m. at Community Alliance Church, 34136 Frenchville Karthaus Highway, in Karthaus. The department will also hold a listening session on the proposed closure of SCI Rockview on Tuesday, April 15, at 5 p.m. at Bald Eagle High School, 710 South Eagle Valley Road, Wingate. If you would like to provide feedback to the Department of Corrections but you cannot attend the listening sessions on April 10 or April 15, the department is also accepting comments via email to ra-crdocclose@pa.gov or by voicemail to 888-316-8950. Langerholc to Introduce Bill to Modernize Motivational Boot Camp, Save Quehanna
In the near future, I intend to introduce legislation to modernize the statutory framework of the motivational boot camp program within the Department of Corrections at the Quehanna Boot Camp, while exploring cost savings as well as potential revenue generation. The Boot Camp Program at Quehanna has the lowest recidivism rate in the Commonwealth and produces the most GEDs of all of Pennsylvania’s 24 correctional institutions. It is critical that this established and successful facility continues to operate in our community. Langerholc Speaks on Bill to Hold Accountable Illegal Migrants Who Violate State Law
Earlier this week, I spoke on the floor of the Senate in support of Senate Bill 471, which will require prosecutors to notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement if an illegal migrant is charged with violating Pennsylvania law. Pennsylvania Treasury Returning Unclaimed Property
The first round of checks from the newly created Pennsylvania Money Match program have been mailed to Pennsylvanians with unclaimed property being held in the state treasury. The Money Match program allows the Pennsylvania Treasury Department to automatically return single-owner property worth up to $500 after verification. To receive a return of property worth more than $500 or with multiple owners, claims with documentation must be filed with the department. Unclaimed properties include money and checks, as well as tangible assets. If you have unclaimed property being returned to you in this first round, you likely received a notification letter in January. For more information about the Money Match program and to see if you have any unclaimed property in the state treasury, visit patreasury.gov/MoneyMatch. Cambria County Farm Bureau Spring Dinner Meeting
This week, my staff attended the Cambria County Farm Bureau’s Spring Dinner Meeting. Senate Votes to Strengthen Crime Prevention, Protect Communities
The Senate took decisive action this week to hold criminals accountable and approved three key bills to protect Pennsylvania communities. Senate Bill 92, known as Tyler’s Law, would impose a mandatory minimum 25-year sentence on drug dealers who sell fentanyl resulting in a fatal overdose. Senate Bill 471 would require prosecutors to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when a criminal defendant is identified as unlawfully present in the United States. Senate Bill 490 would prohibit certain forms of bail for individuals who are in possession of 10 or more grams of fentanyl, those with a prior record of violence, or those charged with committing specific offenses against law enforcement. These measures build upon broader efforts to make Pennsylvania a safer place to live, work, and raise a family, by ensuring that our law enforcement officials have the tools they need to uphold justice. Senate Acts Against False Emergency Threats at Schools
The Senate this week approved legislation to crack down on false emergency threats targeting schools, a move aimed at enhancing public safety and reducing the strain on emergency responders. The bill, which also passed the Senate in the previous legislative session, now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 96 would establish new felony penalties for individuals who make hoax emergency reports involving educational institutions. If signed into law, making a false report of an emergency threat to a school would be classified as a third-degree felony, and courts would be allowed to impose financial penalties to recover the costs incurred by taxpayers for emergency response efforts. The legislation comes in response to a troubling rise in hoax threats made against schools across Pennsylvania, causing fear among students and parents while diverting law enforcement and emergency personnel from real emergencies. Senate Bill 96 is part of a broader effort to safeguard schools and hold bad actors accountable. May 7 is the REAL ID Deadline
Beginning May 7, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license/photo ID card or another form of federally acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to board a domestic commercial flight or enter a federal building or military installation that requires ID. Only about 26% of Pennsylvania drivers have replaced their standard driver’s license with a REAL ID. REAL IDs are available now and will continue to be available to Pennsylvanians after the May 7 enforcement deadline. Learn more about REAL ID documentation requirements and find a printable checklist for required REAL ID documents here. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is offering dedicated times at specific driver license centers to help Pennsylvanians get their REAL ID. Some centers will be able to process and issue a REAL ID at the time of service. Others will be able to verify and image your documents. You will then receive your REAL ID by mail within 15 business days. Dates for these REAL ID Days include April 7, April 14, April 28 and May 5 – all Mondays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Customers who want a REAL ID but aren’t able to attend a REAL ID Day may visit any REAL ID Center to receive a REAL ID at the time of service, visit any PennDOT Driver License Center to have documents verified and then receive REAL ID within 15 business days or apply online (pre-verified customers only). Free Tax Prep Services Available for Qualified Individuals
Free tax preparation services are available to individuals and families who qualify through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The IRS-sponsored initiative serves households earning approximately $60,000 or less, those with disabilities, the elderly and individuals with limited English proficiency. To find a VITA site near you, dial 211, visit the PA 211 website or use the IRS’s VITA locator tool. It’s essential to make an appointment in advance, as many VITA sites operate on a seasonal basis and appointments can fill quickly. Be sure to bring necessary documents. Households with an annual income of $73,000 or less can file their federal and state tax forms online for free through MyFreeTaxes.com. The user-friendly platform allows filers to easily navigate the tax preparation process at their own pace and features live support from IRS-certified specialists. MyFreeTaxes.com uses secure, IRS-approved software to protect your personal information and data. April is National Donate Life Month
For the 23rd year, we recognize April as an opportunity to raise awareness about organ donation. In the season that represents new beginnings, we honor donors, recipients, their families, caregivers and the clinical teams that make it all possible. More than 6,000 Pennsylvanians are awaiting organ transplants. Organ donation can save up to eight lives, and tissue donation can enhance the lives of 75 others by helping them recover from trauma, spinal injuries, burns and vision loss. If you aren’t an organ or tissue donor yet but would like to be, there’s no need to wait until you get or renew your driver’s license, learner’s permit or photo ID. It’s easy to register online to donate. There are no costs to the donor’s family for donation. Paramedics, doctors and nurses remain committed to doing everything possible to save donors’ lives. Learn more. |
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